An independent clause tells a complete thought. A subordinate clause does not tell a complete thought.
A subordinate clause is also known as a dependent clause because a subordinate clause cannot stand alone. A subordinate clause must always be attached to an independent clause.
Here are some examples of a subordinate clause. Notice how the clause does not make a complete thought by itself.
while we were eating.
before it gets dark.
because it is raining.
Each of these subordinate clauses sounds incomplete. We know we need more information. Look what happens when we attach each subordinate clause to an independent clause.
Dad came home while we were eating.
We need to mow the lawn before it gets dark.
Our game was postponed because it is raining.
Each of the highlighted clauses in the sentences above is a complete thought and makes sense all by itself. We add an independent clause to the subordinate clause to make a complete sentence. A sentence with both an independent clause and a subordinate clause is called a complex sentence.
Join a subordinate clause and an independent clause to make a complex sentence.
It’s your turn. Add an independent clause to this subordinate clause to make a complex sentence. If the rain stops Did you finish the sentence? Good for you.